Soils

Question 1

What factors influence the formation of soil?

Answer 1

Climate
Parent material
Vegetation
Living organisms
Landscape
Time

Question 2

Describe climate

Answer 2

Temperature and rainfall influence the rate at which the parent Rick is broken down by weathering.
Hot climates= chemical weathering
Cold climates= freeze thaw

Question 3

Describe vegetation

Answer 3

Vegetation dies and is broken down
Decays and adds humus and nutrients to soil
Deciduous= more leaf fall than coniferous

Question 4

Describe time

Answer 4

One of the most important factors
The longer a rock is exposed to weathering the more it is broken down.
May take up to 400 years for 1cm of soil to form

Question 5

Describe the A Horizon

Answer 5

Darker than lower layers, high humus content
Top soil
Loose and crumbly
Organisms mostly live here
Usually most productive layer

Question 6

B Horizon

Answer 6

Subsoil (mix of soil and stones)
Lighter- less humus
More stones- closer to parent material
Protected from weathering

Question 7

C horizon

Answer 7

Consists of parent rock and soil
Upper section may be broken into rock particles
Lower section is solid bedrock

Question 8

O horizon

Answer 8

Contains organic matter
Plant litter (leaves and decomposing vegetation)
Provides humus

Question 9

Describe Leaching

Answer 9

Water washes material, humus and nutrients from A horizon to B horizon.
Can hinder plant growth
Minerals can be built up @ bottom of A horizon
Hard pan- impermeable layer
Soil above can become waterlogged

Question 10

Name the 4 soil types

Answer 10

Brown Earth
Podzol
Peaty
Gley

Question 11

What is the most common soil type in Ireland?

Answer 11

Brown earth

Question 12

Name the 5 things that make up soil.

Answer 12

Mineral matter
Water
Air
Humus
Living organisms